Translator: Dreamscribe
Kang Woojin, looking at the veteran Director Ahn Ga-bok, made an indifferent declaration. Though his tone was very low, it was clearly conveyed to everyone in the theater.
Suddenly, silence engulfed the theater.
“······”
“······”
“······”
Simultaneously, everyone stared at Kang Woojin’s poker face. There were more than 20 people seated in the theater. All of them were staring intently at Woojin. Regardless, Kang Woojin’s poker face remained unshaken.
That peculiar atmosphere lasted only for a moment.
“He, he’s going to play the counterpart?”
“Did Woojin-ssi just say that? Did I hear it wrong?”
“No. I heard it that way too.”
The actor managers scattered across the fairly spacious seats started to murmur. Their expressions showed a mix of various emotions: confusion, absurdity, curiosity, bewilderment, and so on. What the heck is that guy saying all of a sudden? Out of nowhere, he’s going to play the counterpart? The timing was so unpredictable, and Kang Woojin’s silent expression made it impossible to discern his thoughts.
The managers shared a common image of Kang Woojin.
Cold, arrogant, eccentric, absurd, among other traits. They had rarely experienced him directly, only hearing rumors about him. But seeing him today, he seemed similar to the rumors.
‘He just seems like someone who would sit there posing.’
Moreover, his overwhelming popularity didn’t give off the aura of a rookie. His posture and attitude were somehow different.
But what was he thinking all of a sudden?
Choi Sung-gun, who narrowed his brows, thought similarly. However, unlike the other managers, he was more curious than surprised. Why was the usually lukewarm Woojin suddenly doing something noticeable?
‘I thought he would just stay quiet.’
Whatever it was, the murmuring volume of the managers sitting here and there gradually increased, and Director Ahn Ga-bok, seated in the front row, asked Kang Woojin, who was seated at the end.
“······Are you really going to play the counterpart, Woojin-gun?”
Kang Woojin, with a firm expression, briefly answered.
“Yes, Director-nim.”
“Oh- really? While it would certainly make the evaluation clearer, are you really okay with that?”
“No problem.”
“Hmm.”
Curiosity gleamed in the eyes of the short white-haired Director Ahn Ga-bok. On the other hand, Sim Han-ho, who was keenly observing Woojin, had an unreadable expression. Then, the film company’s CEO and the casting team leader chimed in.
“If Woojin-ssi suddenly plays the counterpart, the atmosphere will be like······”
“There’s no need to go that far. Why the sudden decision?”
Why, you ask? Woojin’s indifferent thought was very simple.
‘Just because, I’m bored. And a little nervous too.’
It was already an awkward place. Being a judge, his heart had been faintly beating since earlier. So, just sitting still felt rather like sitting on pins and needles.
‘Besides, there’s nothing to do just sitting here. I don’t even know how to evaluate or what criteria to score on. Unless it’s evaluating the taste of gukbap restaurants.’
Adding to this, the strange tension made it hard to breathe. Well, the fact that the heater was blasting in the theater also contributed. Hence, he reached a conclusion.
‘In that case, it’s better to play the counterpart for the actors.’
Upon thinking about it, it seemed like a pretty good conclusion. He could subtly shirk the responsibilities of a judge. It would also be acting practice. Including testing his abilities, time would pass well too. Seeing it this way, Kang Woojin judged that acting was many times better.
‘Okay, it’s decided.’
At this moment, the old voice of Director Ahn Ga-bok, who continued words of the film company CEO, was heard again.
“Woojin-gun, is there a reason for wanting to play the counterpart?”
Since he couldn’t say it was because he was bored, Woojin replied appropriately with a solemn face. Naturally, he kept his voice as low as possible.
“I think I’ll be able to see more clearly than from this seat.”
Honestly, he just said something that matched the situation. But for some reason, Director Ahn Ga-bok’s eyes slightly widened upon hearing the answer.
“!!”
Then, he subtly smiled with his wrinkled face.
‘To see more clearly, huh- I see.’
He slowly scanned the managers seated in the back rows, then whispered to Sim Han-ho, who was seated to his immediate right.
“He’s showing them off to those who are grumbling.”
“I think he means he’ll see it more clearly… hmm, it sounds like he believes he’ll see even while watching.”
They were talking about the highly controversial matter of ‘Kang Woojin as a judge’. In reality, many actors had dropped out after hearing that a top actor like Woojin would not only not audition but also serve as a judge. That controversy still lingered among the actors, and the participating actors and managers were still uncomfortable.
Director Ahn Ga-bok judged that Kang Woojin was trying to show his class regarding this matter. The sharp judgment of a veteran.
“He’s letting them know ‘why I’m sitting in the judge’s seat’.”
No, it was a clear misunderstanding. A misconception. That misconception spread from Sim Han-ho to the film company CEO and the casting director. They all looked at Woojin with wide eyes.
Without any change in his expression, Kang Woojin thought inwardly.
‘What, what’s this?? Was it too much? Should I take it back?’
Even though they were looking at different points, the situation strangely proceeded smoothly. Director Ahn Ga-bok smiled a wrinkled smile at Woojin. Then he made a gesture towards the stage.
“Then let’s give it a try, shall we?”
A lead actor standing shoulder to shoulder with a great actor like Sim Han-ho playing the counterpart? As a director, there was no reason to refuse. He even joked with Sim Han-ho.
“Haha, Woojin-gun is playing the counterpart—today’s auditioning actors better put in some effort.”
Soon, Kang Woojin got up without much fuss. He rolled up the sleeves of his gray knitwear as he slowly walked towards the stage. His strong concept gave him a considerable heaviness.
At that moment.
“······Woojin-ssi.”
Sim Han-ho, expressionless, called out to Kang Woojin who was walking onto the theater stage.
“The script.”
Oops, he realized he had left the script on his seat. Feeling like he messed up, Woojin answered in a low voice.
“It’s okay.”
“You can do it without looking at it?”
“It’s better that way.”
“······”
It’s better that way? Sim Han-ho’s brow twitched. Kang Woojin’s laziness seemed significant to the great actor Sim Han-ho, and the film company CEO spoke awkwardly to Woojin on the stage. He also glanced at the managers behind him.
“Well, Woojin-ssi. Don’t overdo it. Just do it moderately, moderately.”
“No.”
But Director Ahn Ga-bok cut off his words abruptly.
“Do it as you please, Woojin-gun. Whether you perform as per the analyzed scenario or add variations, it doesn’t matter.”
It was like telling him to unleash his full potential.
Afterwards.
By the time Kang Woojin climbed onto the small theater stage, the news had spread to the top actors waiting in each dressing room. The process was quick due to the prompt staff, and next were the managers seated directly witnessing the situation. Roughly a dozen actors were participating in today’s audition.
All of them widened their eyes.
Including the first contestant, Jin Jae-jun of ‘Drug Dealer’.
“W-Woojin-ssi is going to… play the counterpart for the audition? All of a sudden?”
“Yes, yes. I believe Kang Woojin-ssi is on stage now. You can go right away.”
“Oh—okay, wait a minute.”
“Yes?”
“Let me calm down a bit.”
Top actress Hong Hye-yeon too.
“Really? Woojin-ssi said that himself??”
“I’m not too sure about that…”
“Hah—what the heck. If I do this poorly, I’m screwed.”
“Yes?”
“No, okay, I got it.”
And Hwalin.
“······Woojin-ssi personally?”
Naturally, the rest of the male and female actors were also in an uproar.
“What, what did you say? Didn’t you say Kang Woojin-ssi was just judging?”
“Well, it was decided on the spot.”
“It’s a bit confusing. I prepared thinking it was a solo performance, but if there’s a counterpart, I have to change it.”
“Sorry, should I inform the director?”
“Uh… no, it’s not that. Got it.”
Reactions varied, but the common sentiment was.
“Aah—this is really driving me crazy.”
The pressure multiplied several times over. The word had spread that Kang Woojin, an actor with only one year of experience, would be playing the counterpart.
“Is it really like walking on thin ice all of a sudden? I never even imagined acting in front of Kang Woojin!”
But the star-studded actors were in an uproar, as if their feet were suddenly on fire. They all vaguely realized.
“Kang Woojin… Kang Woojin as the counterpart. Damn, it’s hard, I have no idea what to expect.”
The current audition had turned into a battlefield. What would the notoriously eccentric Kang Woojin be like as a counterpart? In other words, Woojin was now instilling tension and psychological pressure on various prominent actors. Of course, it wasn’t intentional.
Anyway, the hurdle for the audition had suddenly shot up.
Meanwhile, the top actor, who was the first participant of the audition, entered the theater.
-Swoosh.
It was Jin Jae-jun, with a clear impression. He was wearing a white shirt that suited the role he had prepared. He scanned the heavy atmosphere of the small theater. First, he greeted the judges including Director Ahn Ga-bok and Sim Han-ho. Then, he turned his head towards the stage.
A monster was standing there indifferently.
‘······This is crazy.’
No, it was Kang Woojin. His expression was calm, but his eyes sparkled under the spotlight. It felt like encountering the final boss in the starting village of a game. At least that’s how Jin Jae-jun felt.
“Woojin-ssi.”
He quietly spoke to Kang Woojin as he climbed onto the stage.
“Please take care of me.”
“Please take care of me, sunbae-nim.”
Although it had been quite a while since they last met after ‘Drug Dealer’, the greeting was brief. Their positions were vastly different.
‘I’m the challenger, Woojin-ssi is the lead. In the blink of an eye.’
In less than half a year, the lead and the cameo from ‘Drug Dealer’ had swapped places. What kind of crazy speed is this? But Jin Jae-jun didn’t have the luxury to be amazed.
“Jae-jun-ssi, which scene did you prepare?”
Director Ahn Ga-bok’s question was thrown. For reference, the scripts given to the auditioning actors didn’t contain just one cut. There were a total of three types of cuts, and the actors could choose which one to perform. Jin Jae-jun conveyed his preferred cut, and Director Ahn Ga-bok slowly nodded and answered in a low voice.
“Alright. Let me know when you’re ready.”
Jin Jae-jun nodded and calmed his mind. He exhaled quietly. He placed the script in his hand on the floor. Then he looked straight ahead. He saw Kang Woojin’s cynical face.
There was no script in Woojin’s hand or around him.
‘…He’s really not looking at the script?’
Jin Jae-jun was well aware of Kang Woojin’s incredible reading skills. During the shooting of ‘Drug Dealer’, Woojin had mastered a revised script in just 10 minutes. So, it would be the same this time too.
Kang Woojin and Jin Jae-jun’s situations were different.
While Jin Jae-jun only had to practice one scene from the given script, Kang Woojin had to perform different scenes with each actor on the spot. Moreover, the roles of the counterparts were all different.
At this moment.
‘Oh? Wait a minute.’
Jin Jae-jun realized.
‘Playing the counterpart for all the actors means… not just Park Ha-seong, but also Chairman Yoon Jung-bae and other roles too. Woojin-ssi will handle all of them? Is that even possible?’
It was an unbelievable conclusion. But soon, Jin Jae-jun slightly shook his head. No matter how much of a monster Kang Woojin was, it couldn’t be that extreme.
‘It makes sense for Woojin-ssi to handle Park Ha-seong, but for Chairman Yoon Jung-bae and other roles, he’ll probably just deliver the lines adequately.’
This was the same thought shared by everyone else in the small theater, including Director Ahn Ga-bok, Sim Han-ho, and especially the managers.
‘It doesn’t make sense for him to handle all the roles.’
‘With his packed schedule, knowing all the roles would make him an alien-level monster, he’ll just deliver the lines.’
‘No way… leaving the script behind was just for show.’
Regardless of these thoughts.
“I’m ready, Director-nim.”
Jin Jae-jun, with a resolute expression, murmured as Director Ahn Ga-bok, who showed a thumbs up, gave a small signal.
“Hi- action.”
The role Jin Jae-jun was aiming for was ‘Yoon Ja-ho’, the eldest son in the chaebol family setting of ‘Leech’. Among the three children, he was the one with the most extreme power lust. Jin Jae-jun, embodying ‘Yoon Ja-ho’, changed his gaze.
His eyes filled with irritation and slyness.
“······”
His posture also changed. He stood straight and proper but expressed arrogance by putting one hand in his pocket. His counterpart this time was Park Ha-seong. Kang Woojin had already brought out Park Ha-seong the moment he heard which scene Jin Jae-jun had chosen.
From his mind to the blood running through his body, he was Park Ha-seong.
But.
‘Just looking at his posture, he came to pick a fight.’
The current Park Ha-seong was not in the mindset of the early Park Ha-seong from ‘Leech’. He had been corrupted and altered. The soul that wrapped around Woojin’s body was tainted. He was Park Ha-seong, but he wasn’t. The eyes that were once full of defeatism were nowhere to be found.
Instead, his eyes were filled with overflowing ambition.
It was natural since the current scene was set some time later.
The world seen through Kang Woojin’s eyes, filled with boiling ambition, was no longer a stage. The spotlight vanished, the rear screen disappeared, and the podium faded like smoke. What Woojin saw now was the garden of a massive mansion. Well-maintained grass covered the ground, with trees planted here and there.
In the middle of it stood Park Ha-seong and Yoon Ja-ho facing each other.
The eldest son of the chaebol family, Yoon Ja-ho, smirked and spoke first.
“How is Mother doing these days?”
“······”
But Yoon Ja-ho, or Kang Woojin, only stared intently at Yoon Ja-ho without responding. He even seemed relaxed. Then.
-Swoosh.
Turning his body, he grabbed a white chair nearby. The sound of the chair dragging on the grass spread. Of course, to Director Ahn Ga-bok, Sim Han-ho, and the others in the small theater, it sounded like a grating noise. This was because Kang Woojin had dragged a metal chair from one side of the stage.
Sitting in the chair, Kang Woojin crossed his legs. Then he lightly replied to Yoon Ja-ho.
“Madam— no, Mother is doing very well.”
“What? Mother?”
“Mother told me to call her that.”
It was a lie. But there was no way to confirm it.
“Hah—this is driving me crazy. Hey, servant, watch your words.”
“I’m just telling it as it is. Ah—then should I call you hyung-nim?”
Jin Jae-jun, with a cold face, put his hand on Woojin’s shoulder.
“I said, watch your words.”
“If it’s hard to adjust, I’ll do it later. Mother said to take it slow too.”
“Don’t call her Mother.”
Jin Jae-jun grabbed Woojin by the collar. But Woojin, smiling faintly, simply accepted it and spoke.
“Mother will be sad.”
“······”
Jin Jae-jun, who had been glaring at Woojin, roughly let go of his collar. Then he poked Woojin’s face with his index finger.
“Hey, as a servant, act like one. Just suck blood like a leech. Don’t try to dip your feet into another world like you don’t know your place.”
Woojin sat back in the chair. The height difference between Jin Jae-jun and Woojin reappeared. Then Woojin looked up and replied calmly.
“Are we in different spaces now? We are in the same place.”
Yoon Ja-ho gritted his teeth. Here, Kang Woojin turned his face to the right. He saw himself sitting in the chair reflected in the window of the grand mansion’s first-floor living room.
Of course, Yoon Ja-ho was there too.
Anyone would see him as a person of this house. Kang Woojin, looking at his reflection in the window, slightly raised the corner of his mouth.
“We’re together, aren’t we?”
Yoon Ja-ho. No, Jin Jae-jun narrowed his brows. At some point, he too saw not the stage but the garden of the mansion. The Kang Woojin effect. Goosebumps formed on his arms.
‘I expected it, but- as I thought, Woojin has no intention of half-assing it. To think he can bring out Park Ha-sung’s hidden side like this.’
And the great actor Sim Han-ho, who was staring intently at Kang Woojin on stage, murmured softly.
“······Ripley Syndrome.”
At the same time, DM Production.
Inside the largest conference room of the new production company DM Production, which was in the midst of producing ‘Beneficial Evil’, bearded PD Song Man-woo was seen. He was seated with his back to the window in the middle of a square desk. On both sides of him were the key staff of ‘Beneficial Evil’.
What was interesting was.
“PD-nim.”
Among the guests seated opposite PD Song Man-woo, there was a familiar-faced woman. It was Kim So-hyang, the executive director of Netflix, with a relaxed smile. The slightly plump woman leaned forward slightly.
“How about releasing the work you’re preparing now, not through a broadcasting station, but on Netflix?”
She spoke decisively to PD Song Man-woo.
“Of course, it would be launched worldwide.”
******
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